Limitadas - born out of a simple case of need?

[Fugu]

An older article by Simon Chase in Cigarjournal about the origins of the EL program. Thought I'd share.
Actually, is it 'subpar', domestic-market wrapper quality? Grist to the mills of some, I guess... 

Full read here

 

"Ediciónes Limitadas – Innovation Born of Necessity
December 15, 2014
 
Authors
Simon Chase
 
The line Ediciónes Limitadas represented one of the very first ideas for special, limited-production cigars that Habanos S.A. introduced at the start of the 21st century. It all began in 2000, which was a difficult year for the Cuban cigar industry.

Following the drive to make more and more cigars to meet the demands of the 1990s boom, stocks of tobacco were low. Wrapper leaves for making large sizes were in particularly short supply, so much so that the industry was struggling to meet its targets. But there was one place in Cuba where large wrappers were plentiful, and that was in the warehouses that stored the leaves for domestic-production cigars.

These wrappers were different from those used on cigars classified as Habanos because they had been picked from the upper levels of shade-grown tobacco plants. They were darker in colour and thicker too, which made them harder for the torcedores to work with. Over the years, it had been established that only wrappers from the middle section of tobacco plants were used on Habanos. Nevertheless, the lack of any alternative meant that serious consideration had to be given to using the domestic leaves if production was to be maintained.

I was told about the problem on a visit to Havana in June 2000. A debate was raging in the industry about whether the use of dark wrappers would undermine the precious global image of the Habano. Having been shown some samples, my only comment was that there were many enthusiasts in Britain who would willingly sacrifice their right arms for Habanos with dark, oily wrappers.

In short, I felt that the project had plenty of potential. Goodness knows whether my view carried any weight, but soon afterwards the project got the green light. Dark wrappers were to be used, provided that they were on cigars that could be clearly identified as separate from standard-production products. ..."

 

[LGC]

EL's hit the market when the H2000 leaf hit the rolling tables. Regardless of their origination, I knew They were never going to appeal to my palate. From the first production, I have not seen a single stick with a thin wrapper that burned properly. After the first several releases, I stopped wasting my time and money. I am not one to get hung up and influenced by wrapper color... but any thick, dark, streaky or not, oily or dull... screams EL to me. I'll take a claro-Colorado wrapper over maduro every time. With the combustion qualities, I'd be interested in seeing a 38RG EL being smoked ;-)

[Mattb82]

Interesting article for a newbie like myself 

[NSXCIGAR]

I don't doubt Chase's account at all. HSA is the world champion at taking inferior materials and turning it into a "special" product at a higher price in the realm of luxury goods.

I have smoked LEs every year since their inception and I can tell you that overall, I have been very disappointed. I do not, nor have I ever, liked the peculiar dank, forest-floor "EL" flavor which is quite distinctive and has been present in almost every EL I've ever tried since the very beginning of the program. The ostensibly thick, dark wrappers cause all sorts of burning problems as well. 

Have there been very special LEs produced that are highly regarded? Absolutely. Can't really argue with the quality of the Cohiba Sublimes, Cohiba 1966, Monte Sublimes, Monte 520, Monte D, HU Mag 56. But to my recollection, those 6 (which are 6 out of 50 total LEs produced) are what could be considered objectively "outstanding" cigars. 6 out of 50. Now, there are certainly some that I consider to be very good and possibly moving towards greatness like the Trini Ingenios, Hoyo Regalos, RyJ Hermosos 1 & 2, RA Allones Extra, RA Club Allones. But toss those additional 6 in and you have 12 out of 50? Pretty bad win rate however you look at it. 

Not coincidentally, the RE program appears to have about the same success rate--about 1/4. I guess this is as good as it gets when you're putting lipstick on a pig (no insult to PigFish, who I think feels the same way about special production as I do! )

[Colt45]

Never considered it, but an interesting consideration. Somewhat disheartening they turned into what they became....

[Bohn007]

A good read and makes sense. Plus, how many people love the idea of something "limited" in availability. I am as guilty as anyone having a lot of EL's and RE's in the cabinet. Still, I did my research before buying and got quite a few off of the list mentioned above of successes and no "dogs". That being said, I am only buying regular production and RA Regionals from now on. Not much else worth considering. @PigFish was right all along as I have learned although I do like a McRib for a change of pace now and then. 

[Smallclub]

It's easy to discredit the ELs now that they are overpriced, made in stupid sizes, etc. But some of the first ELs were excellent cigars, more reasonably priced.

[El Presidente]

Simon would certainly know the originations of the program. 

Wrappers in the EL series have certainly improved (to my mind) over the years. Lets look at the last 4 years. 

H. Upmann Robustos
Montecristo Montecristo 520
Partagás Serie C No.3

Hoyo de Monterrey Grand Epicure
Punch Serie D'Oro No. 2
Romeo y Julieta De Luxe

Bolívar Super Coronas
Cohiba Robustos Supremos
Partagás Selección Privada

H. Upmann Magnum 56
Ramón Allones Club Alloness

 

The only dud in terms of sales was the Romeo y Julieta De Luxe and it is a fine cigar. 

There are some stellar cigars among them. In fact, most of them are. 

Price point is one thing, but kudos have to be given in relation to producing high quality uniquely tasting cigars. 

 

[David88]

Thanks for the article. It's very interesting to note the origins of the program were using sub-par leaves due to necessity/low sales. 

I had simply assumed habanos S.A had realised that age old rule of making something limited or special will naturally create demand in a market. 

[canadianbeaver]

In our collection we find many EL's fantastic, especially if they have real age on them. There are so many that we pick up first year and put them away. Since I broke my habit of falling for Regional Editions a good while back, it is nice to have these.

[Ken Gargett]

9 hours ago, Smallclub said:

It's easy to discredit the ELs now that they are overpriced, made in stupid sizes, etc. But some of the first ELs were excellent cigars, more reasonably priced.

spot on.

some early ones were truly stellar and cheaper than regular production smokes.

[Ken Gargett]

by chance, and no spoilers (well, spoiler-ish), rob and i did a very early LE for the video this afternoon.

 

[Fugu]

9 hours ago, El Presidente said:

The only dud in terms of sales was the Romeo y Julieta De Luxe and it is a fine cigar. 

Yep, and this slow seller came with the nicest, smoothest wrappers of all.

[Fugu]

"Subpar" has been my provocative interpretation, it's not something Simon Chase has actually said (so directly). Although I believe those wrappers had indeed been and still are classified as being of sub-standard quality for the higher export demands, they can be evolved into some special product. Diversity - you won't eat tenderloin every day, sometimes what you need is a bucolic, hearty asado. (or even a McRib to say it with Piggy).

Some of the earlier releases are smoking fantastic right now, I wholeheartedly agree with Ken and SC. And even though sporting thicker wrappers, they don't develop burn issues anymore, probably due to their proper processing, in unit with a later careful aging. At least not more of a problem than you'd find with any regular production. They all can be tricky as a freshy, and you have to carefully select boxes. Likelihood of wrapper-duds still higher in LEs as in regulars.

2 hours ago, Ken Gargett said:

by chance, and no spoilers (well, spoiler-ish), rob and i did a very early LE for the video this afternoon.

Ken, we are still hanging in the cliffs of your other two LE-tastings that you announced recently....

[Ken Gargett]

9 minutes ago, Fugu said:

Ken, we are still hanging in the cliffs of your other two LE-tastings that you announced recently....

manyana.

promise.

[TheMonk]

11 hours ago, Smallclub said:

It's easy to discredit the ELs now that they are overpriced, made in stupid sizes, etc. But some of the first ELs were excellent cigars, more reasonably priced.

Very true. They most likely started off selling them at a lower price not only because they probably considered these cigars to be sub-par (at least in terms of wrapper) but also to assess the aficionado's feedback on them. When they realised it was a positive one, they upped their prices as well as quantities, which as we know really does tend to lower overall quality, a few exceptions aside, as mentioned by @NSXCIGAR.

As @Brandon said, I would, however, love to see them making a Laguito N. 1 or even a N. 2... Now that could prove extremely interesting, for more then one reason.

[Fugu]

12 minutes ago, Ken Gargett said:

manyana.

promise.

Haha, let's hope you won't find someone in the meantime getting you paid for it ...

[Smoke6]

Quote

 

20 hours ago, Hutch said:

Truly. The little RyJs and Montes from the beginnng of the program turned into some of my very favorite cigars. Honorable mention to the HdM pyramids as well.

Interesting story on the origin of the ELs.  I remember my first box.....HdM pyramids I picked up from a nice little shop in Gibraltar!  Man, I thought I was in heaven.  I just smoked the last two with my brother this past summer.  13 year old ELs and they were sublime.  Wish I had another box. 

 

[elam370]

I've always had an inkling that ELs aged a touch better than the regular claro wrappers. That's not to say that they were inherently superior (the few HdM and RyJ ELs that never impressed me, though the Cohiba and Upmann ones were tasty), but I always felt that they needed a few more years but bloomed wonderfully.

 

What sucks though is that Cohiba ELs though tasty taste nothing really like regular Cohibas. Excepting the most recent ones as I have not tried those yet.

[godpheonix]

love the RYJ romeo de luxe. these are the best of that year, real aging potential in those. and still reasonably priced. maybe i should get a 3rd box!

i didn't even bother with the other 2 releases.

[Orion21]

I loved the 2010 and 2012 EL's, but I stopped buying after those years because the prices became ridiculous.  I bit my lip hard on the Monte 520 at about $20 each and that was it.  I bit on the Club Allones because of the roll, but haven't loved them.  I'm off the EL band wagon for sure.  Regular production is where it's at!

[joeypots]

I got into Cuban cigars around '01 just as the EL program was getting going.I bought quite a few boxes and try as I might I just couldn't cotton up to them. I have had the opportunity to get a few  of the more recent ones and I have found the Monte Cristo GE, Sublime, and the 520 to be very, very good. I never liked the R&J offerings. Except for a few RE offerings,  I'm acquiring regular production smokes. I sold quite a few cigars that didn't suit me in the last few years and bought Cohiba when I could afford them. I'm very happy to have that stash instead of the ELs, especially now as the prices are going nuts. Give me a quality, seasoned  BCG, Siglo, Monte #1 or 2, PLPC, RASS, PP, CORO, PSD#4, or a few of the LCDH exclusives  any day over the majority of the ELs any day and I'm a happy man.